On 28 November 2012, the Netherlands, along with Germany, the UK and 38 other countries, abstained from voting in the UN General Assembly on a resolution to grant Palestine non-member observer state status. Early last week, foreign minister Frans Timmermans consulted closely with his counterparts in London and Berlin. Thirteen EU member states abstained from the resolution, fourteen voted for, and one (the Czech Republic) voted against.

By unanimous vote, the United Nations has adopted a resolution, proposed by the Netherlands and France, to eliminate violence against women. It calls for countries to offer protection, amend legislation, train care workers and offer victims better aftercare. ‘I am glad this has succeeded. It shows that all countries believe it is important to combat violence against women and promote their rights,’ said foreign minister Frans Timmermans.

Fighting between rebel groups and government forces in and around the city of Goma in eastern DR Congo has resulted in a flood of refugees. Lilianne Ploumen, the Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, today pledged €3.2 million to the UN Refugee Agency for their shelter in refugee camps.

The Dutch Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg has today signed the Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence on behalf of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. With this move, the Netherlands is sending a clear signal that violence against women and domestic violence are unacceptable.

‘The International Criminal Court plays an essential role in preventing crimes, protecting people and bringing perpetrators to justice. It has achieved a great deal, but there is still much to do.’ Foreign minister Frans Timmermans delivered this message in the Knights’ Hall in The Hague at a ceremony to mark the ICC’s 10th anniversary, which was attended by Her Majesty the Queen and the President of Senegal.

On Wednesday, 14 November 2012, an event will be held to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Ridderzaal (The Knights Hall) in The Hague (Netherlands), in the presence of Her Majesty the Queen of the Netherlands

Cooperation between the EU and the Arab League is crucial to resolving problems in the Middle East, especially in Syria, foreign minister Frans Timmermans has said at a meeting of the Arab League and the EU in Cairo. Syria was the main topic of discussion.

Investing in family planning in developing countries brings many benefits, according to UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, which this Wednesday published its State of World Population 2012 report, ‘By Choice, Not By Chance.’